Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 05:05 PM.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County commissioners have directed Aramark, the catering firm formerly under contract at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, to cease all county-related activities at the facility.

Commissioners voted at their meeting Tuesday at the urging of Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who told the board he saw a county employee using a county vehicle to cater a private wedding he attended recently in Destin.

Boyles said the company’s use of the vehicle to deliver tables and chairs was “completely inappropriate” and especially troubling because Aramark’s catering contract with the county expired Oct. 1.

“My point is that we are propping up this entity and holding them out as having a relationship with this county, and I’m exceedingly uncomfortable with that,” he said. “ … With the sins of the past that we’re dealing with and seeing the last train wreck that unfolded, I’m just not going to be a part of that.”

Boyles said he inquired about the use of the vehicle and was told by Convention Center staff that Aramark sometimes had used county resources at its off-site catering jobs. However, that was discontinued in August upon the advice of county attorneys.

Under that practice, the county got 15 percent of Aramark’s gross receipts.

Commissioners agreed the county should send a clear message to Aramark that it cannot perform any county-related activities or use any county resources.

Commission Chairman Don Amunds and Commissioner Dave Parisot voiced concerns about upcoming events at the Convention Center set to be catered by Aramark. County Attorney John Dowd said groups hosting events can contract directly with Aramark or any other catering company.

Boyles and Parisot said the incident shows that the Convention Center and its contracts need greater scrutiny.

Commissioner Kelly Windes said he had been aware of the Aramark matter “for a couple of weeks” and agreed with Boyles.

“You can’t have the tail wagging the dog,” he said.

Boyles said Wednesday he will meet with County Administrator Ernie Padgett and the Convention Center’s staff next week to discuss Aramark’s services and the future of the contract.

“I’m not placing blame on Aramark,” Boyles said. “ … My point is the public requires a greater level of accountability and scrutiny of everything the county does, and that includes the operation of that (convention) center.”

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County commissioners have directed Aramark, the catering firm formerly under contract at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, to cease all county-related activities at the facility.

Commissioners voted at their meeting Tuesday at the urging of Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who told the board he saw a county employee using a county vehicle to cater a private wedding he attended recently in Destin.

Boyles said the company’s use of the vehicle to deliver tables and chairs was “completely inappropriate” and especially troubling because Aramark’s catering contract with the county expired Oct. 1.

“My point is that we are propping up this entity and holding them out as having a relationship with this county, and I’m exceedingly uncomfortable with that,” he said. “ … With the sins of the past that we’re dealing with and seeing the last train wreck that unfolded, I’m just not going to be a part of that.”

Boyles said he inquired about the use of the vehicle and was told by Convention Center staff that Aramark sometimes had used county resources at its off-site catering jobs. However, that was discontinued in August upon the advice of county attorneys.

Under that practice, the county got 15 percent of Aramark’s gross receipts.

Commissioners agreed the county should send a clear message to Aramark that it cannot perform any county-related activities or use any county resources.

Commission Chairman Don Amunds and Commissioner Dave Parisot voiced concerns about upcoming events at the Convention Center set to be catered by Aramark. County Attorney John Dowd said groups hosting events can contract directly with Aramark or any other catering company.

Boyles and Parisot said the incident shows that the Convention Center and its contracts need greater scrutiny.

Commissioner Kelly Windes said he had been aware of the Aramark matter “for a couple of weeks” and agreed with Boyles.

“You can’t have the tail wagging the dog,” he said.

Boyles said Wednesday he will meet with County Administrator Ernie Padgett and the Convention Center’s staff next week to discuss Aramark’s services and the future of the contract.

“I’m not placing blame on Aramark,” Boyles said. “ … My point is the public requires a greater level of accountability and scrutiny of everything the county does, and that includes the operation of that (convention) center.”